OpenAI tests ChatGPT image ads, McDonald's lawsuit, Realtor.com RealAssist, and more - Sales & Marketing AI Weekly #74

October 09, 2026 - Sales & Marketing AI Weekly
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OpenAI will test labeled visual ads alongside ChatGPT image generation in the United States later this month, while Omnicom Media and Rembrand are partnering on AI supported advertising for streaming content. Customer engagement tools also feature prominently, with Zenarate, Sanas, Gladly and Slang AI introducing systems that combine AI assistance with human oversight across service and sales conversations.

AI tools are also moving deeper into industry workflows. Cox Automotive is adding Fullpath data to VinSolutions CRM, Realtor.com is expanding agent support through RealAssist AI, and Avarra raised $17 million for its sales training avatar platform. This edition also covers an Illinois consumer lawsuit involving McDonald's pricing technology, which the company disputes.
Zenarate targets customer service issues across AI and human agents
Zenarate outlines a platform that tracks customer issues across AI agents and human associates. The company says the findings can improve training, AI systems, escalations and service processes for enterprise customer experience teams. Read more
Cox Automotive embeds Fullpath AI platform in VinSolutions CRM
Cox Automotive is integrating Fullpath's customer data platform into VinSolutions CRM for shared customers following its acquisition of Fullpath. The rollout will add AI generated shopper summaries, customer context and website activity to CRM records through the end of 2026. Read more
BSI Financial expands Milo for 24/7 mortgage borrower service
BSI Financial Services expands Milo, its AI powered mortgage servicing platform, with loan specific support, automated monitoring and human oversight. The platform supports agency and non agency loans and is available as a private label voice service. Read more
Omnicom Media and Rembrand partner on AI powered streaming ads
Omnicom Media and Rembrand partner to help brands plan and place AI powered in content advertising across premium streaming inventory. The service combines Acxiom audience data, Omni, and VISTA technology. Read more
pubX raises $5M Series A and acquires Compliant
pubX, an agent to agent advertising infrastructure company based in New York and London, raises a $5 million Series A led by Chicago Ventures. It also acquires Compliant, integrating its media quality and governance signals into the pubX platform. Read more
Sanas introduces supervised AI platform for customer calls
Sanas introduces Supervised AI, which lets AI agents manage customer calls while one human supervisor monitors up to four conversations. The invitation only platform records audit trails and will be more widely available in December 2026. Read more
myKaarma offers AI lead management to Ford and Lincoln dealerships
myKaarma makes its AI lead management tools available to Ford and Lincoln dealerships. The software handles service calls, gathers vehicle details, schedules appointments and automates follow up outreach. Read more
Asda expands Rokt AI offers across grocery and George checkout
Asda expands its partnership with Rokt, using Rokt Pay+ and Rokt Thanks to select real time offers at online grocery and George checkouts. George revenue linked to Rokt Pay+ more than doubled, while grocery revenue rose 72% year on year, with customer conversion unchanged. Read more
Trellist launches behavioral data bridge with Quals.ai
Trellist launches a service linking CRM, product usage and web analytics data with AI led interviews from Quals.ai. The service is designed to explain customer actions within 24 hours and support testing of marketing messages, offers and creative. Read more
Realtor.com launches RealAssist AI for real estate agents
Realtor.com launches RealAssist AI in its Realtor.com+ platform to help agents automate client and property search setup, review daily activity, and draft follow up actions. The service is available in 21 US markets and supports more than 192,000 agents nationwide. Read more
Gnani AI expands Ascent partner program into the Middle East
Gnani AI expands its Ascent partner program into the Middle East with Rise, iSteer and Gibraltar Technologies. The program supports contact center and customer experience AI deployments for GCC enterprises, including Arabic fine tuning and compliance requirements. Read more
Mirror Particle builds a world model for consumer behavior
Mirror Particle, a San Francisco AI startup, is developing a foundation model that combines customer data, current events and social media to predict changes in consumer motivations and behavior. The company says it has raised an angel round and is nearing its first venture funding round ahead of TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. Read more
Infinitus launches FieldForce AI agents for pharmaceutical field teams
Infinitus launches FieldForce, a suite of secure AI agents for pharmaceutical sales representatives and reimbursement managers. The tools support meeting preparation, CRM updates, provider inquiries and reimbursement workflows. Read more
CoBALT and IBEForuM sign MOU to expand REALIZER in APAC and the Middle East
CoBALT and India based conference organizer IBEForuM sign a memorandum of understanding to promote the REALIZER sales engagement platform across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The partners plan introductions, product demonstrations and connections through selected IBEForuM events. Read more
McDonald's faces US lawsuit over AI pricing tool
A consumer lawsuit in Illinois alleges McDonald's AI enhanced pricing tool shares nonpublic sales data among competing franchisees, contributing to higher menu prices. McDonald's denies the claims and says franchisees set their own prices. Read more
Emplifi expands CX platform with AI orchestration and agentic workflows
Emplifi released new AI orchestration, agentic workflow and automation features for its enterprise customer experience platform. The updates connect marketing, commerce and customer care functions, while adding AI powered listening, natural language dashboards and expanded access controls. Read more
Validity adds MCP connector to Engage for email intelligence
Validity adds a Model Context Protocol connector to Engage, allowing enterprise marketers to access email and market intelligence through their existing AI tools. The update also adds pre send checks for layout, accessibility, branding and compliance. Read more
Gladly launches agentic commerce platform for retail sales and service
Gladly adds sales functions to its customer service AI platform, allowing retailers to guide shoppers, answer product questions, manage orders and process exchanges in one conversation. The platform is available in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Read more
Spyne deploys Vini AI across 115 US dealerships
Spyne says its Vini AI platform has handled more than 450,000 leads and 900,000 customer conversations at 115 US dealerships. The company reports integrations with VinSolutions, Tekion and CDK, and links the platform to opportunities worth more than $85 million in dealership revenue. Read more
Typeform launches AI Landing Pages builder
Typeform launches AI Landing Pages, a conversational tool for creating branded landing pages with native forms and payment options. The service is available to all Typeform users and connects responses to workflows. Read more
Cisco adds agentic collaboration across Webex and customer experience
Cisco introduces AI agent capabilities for Webex, workplace systems and customer service. Updates include Claude Managed Agents, meeting and third party app agents, RoomOS 27 with Google Meet support, and Dialog for continuing customer issue resolution across interactions. Read more
Olyzon expands agentic advertising platform beyond CTV
Olyzon introduces a New York platform that uses AI agents to coordinate advertising budgets across demand side platforms, supply side platforms, direct inventory and measurement partners. The platform supports connected TV, YouTube, social media, digital audio and digital out of home campaigns. Read more
Structurely rebrands as 21X and launches sports AI platform
Structurely rebrands as 21X and launches 21X SPORTS, an AI platform for sports ticketing, merchandise and revenue campaigns. The platform was developed with GameAbove Sports and is backed by parent company CapStone Holdings. Read more
Slang AI launches Superhost for restaurants
Slang AI launches Superhost, a conversational hospitality agent for full service restaurants. The service handles phone, text and web inquiries, including reservations, menu questions and guest preferences, in 97 languages. Read more
Breaker launches AI newsletter tools with human approval
Breaker introduces RealClick to filter automated clicks from campaign reports, alongside an MCP server and API for AI assisted newsletter workflows. Compatible AI tools can access data, draft campaigns and create audience segments, while human approval remains required before sending. Read more
GDRTA selects ConnXAI Maestro for transit communications
Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority selects ConnXAI Maestro to unify communications across its transit, paratransit, scheduling, incident and customer service systems. The platform will coordinate rider updates across digital and physical channels. Read more
Partner Tech certifies AI self checkout with Verifone Commander
Partner Tech certifies its AI powered self checkout platform for integration with Verifone Commander. The company says the certification supports deployments at more than 55,000 North American fuel and convenience sites, with computer vision and real time theft detection. Read more
Unanet GrowthStudio wins AI Powered SMB Solution of the Year
Unanet's GrowthStudio for GovCon receives the 2026 Tech Ascension Awards recognition for AI Powered SMB Solution of the Year. The platform provides US federal contractors with market insights, proposal support and pipeline management tools. Read more
OpenAI expands ChatGPT ad tests to image generation
OpenAI will test clearly labeled visual ads alongside ChatGPT image generation in the United States later in October 2026. The company says ads will remain separate from generated images and will not influence responses. Read more
OpenAI adds measurement and brand suitability tools to ChatGPT image ad test
OpenAI expands its planned US test of ads alongside ChatGPT image generation with conversion measurement partners and brand suitability evaluations from DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science. The ads will be clearly labeled, separate from generated images, and will not influence responses. Read more
Configure One launches AI platform for product modeling and quoting
Configure One, a Revalize company, launches an AI platform for manufacturers of complex products. The platform includes AI Model Builder, now generally available, and AI Seller, a beta tool for creating configured, priced and bill linked quotes that is planned for general availability in early 2027. Read more
Rings AI brings relationship data to Perplexity Computer
Rings AI and Perplexity partner to add the Rings connector to Perplexity Computer. Eligible subscribers and existing customers can use relationship history, activity records and introduction paths in research and workflow tasks. Read more
Trellist reduces logistics operator's customer service calls 30% with AI
Trellist reports that an unnamed national logistics, transportation and storage operator reduced customer service call volume by 30% after deploying an AI customer service agent with human review. The project also connected operational data and added AI to development and quality assurance workflows, freeing 30% of development capacity. Read more
Avarra raises $17 million Series A for AI avatar platform
Avarra raises $17 million in Series A funding led by Duration Ventures, with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners, Draper Associates, GTMfund, Alumni Ventures and Zoom. The company will expand its AI avatar platform for sales and go to market teams to practice customer interactions and receive coaching. Read more
Melius raises $20 million Series A for AI ad creation
Melius, a New York based AI advertising platform, raises $20 million in Series A funding led by CRV, following a $5 million seed round led by General Catalyst. The company generates advertising campaigns, images and videos. Read more
U.S. News & World Report partners with Candid on senior living AI
U.S. News & World Report partners with and invests in Candid, a U.S. company providing conversational AI tools for senior living and post acute care organizations. The tools collect resident and family feedback through voice and text. Read more
Beyond Now launches agentic revenue platform for CSPs
Beyond Now launches an agentic platform for communications service providers and technology companies. It combines revenue management, partner tools and AI to support service creation, sales, fulfillment and monetization. Read more
Cerillion named in Gartner's 2026 CSP AI marketing and sales Magic Quadrant
Cerillion is included in Gartner's 2026 Magic Quadrant for AI enabled marketing and sales solutions for communications service providers. The company also appears in the related Critical Capabilities report. Read more
Verndale introduces AI visibility and content supply chain services
Verndale introduces services that assess how brands appear in AI generated answers and identify content or citation gaps. The agency also offers workflow support for creating, governing and updating content. Read more
V2 Strategic Advisors launches Databricks practice for media ad sales
V2 Strategic Advisors launches a dedicated Databricks practice for media and advertising sales organizations. The firm will help clients consolidate data, strengthen analytics and apply AI to revenue operations. Read more
Autograff launches ShopOS AI system for US auto repair shops
Autograff launches ShopOS in the US, combining scheduling, repair orders, inspections, estimates, parts, invoicing and payments in one shop management system. Its AI tools handle calls and appointment booking, while providing operational insights based on live shop data. Read more
Gong, Agentforce Sales and Avoma named conversation intelligence champions
Info-Tech Research Group names Gong, Agentforce Sales and Avoma champions in its 2026 Conversation Intelligence Data Quadrant Report, based on verified user feedback. Gong and Agentforce Sales each score 9.0, while Avoma scores 8.6. Read more

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